Anthropic Judge Says Deal Notices Downplay Opt-Out Avenue

By Editorial Team

A California federal judge has ordered changes to the notice emails being sent to members of a class of writers who secured a $1.5 billion settlement of copyright infringement claims against artificial intelligence firm Anthropic, saying the current wording does not give “equal dignity” to the option of opting out of the settlement versus filing a claim.

The judge, William Alsup, emphasized the importance of providing clear and transparent information to class members regarding their rights, including the ability to opt out of the settlement if they choose to do so.

Several law firms were involved in the case, including Arnold & Porter, Cowan DeBaets, Edelson PC, Latham & Watkins, Lieff Cabraser, and Susman Godfrey. The companies involved in the settlement include Anthropic PBC and Bragg.

The case was heard in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

This ruling highlights the significance of ensuring that class action settlement notices provide accurate and comprehensive information to class members, allowing them to make informed decisions about their participation in the settlement.